This article is part of our Starting Eleven series.
MATCHES (EDT)
7:30 a.m: Leicester City v. Liverpool
10:00 a.m: Brighton v. Fulham
10:00 a.m: Chelsea v. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: Everton v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. Wolves
12:30 p.m: Manchester City v. Newcastle
FORWARDS
Saturday's matchups bring us another slate where Manchester City are highly favored, with multiple players having high-goal scoring odds. Of the late games (non-Liverpool/Leicester), Sergio Aguero tops the list of goal-scoring odds, with Gabriel Jesus right behind. Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez are all in top nine, as the oddsmakers expect City to give Newcastle the business at home. Aguero is my preference given he's scored 14 goals in 12 appearances against Newcastle, while I'd also like to get one of City's set-piece takers in the lineup. Mahrez took the majority of set pieces in his only start, but he has been on the bench in the past two games, allowing Bernardo Silva to share the duties with Ilkay Gundogan, who are both midfield eligible. If Mahrez starts, he's a worthy selection, though Bernardo Silva isn't the worst player to fall back on.
Mohamed Salah is pretty much a must-play, as he and Aguero lead the league in shots (16) to go along with a respectable 18 duels won. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are viable pivots, though Liverpool should have a difficult test as they travel to Leicester City.
Eden Hazard was in the starting XI for the first time this season as Chelsea beat Newcastle 2-1 last weekend, with his 76th-minute goal proving to be the difference. He has one goal and two assists despite the early role as super-sub. In what will likely be his second start, Hazard has a good opportunity to torment Bournemouth's back line considering the form he's carried over from the World Cup.
Aleksandar Mitrovic's three goals are tough to ignore, along with the 15 shots and league-leading seven shots on target, and Fulham's matchup with Brighton only emphasizes Mitrovic's potential Saturday. Another favorable matchup is Crystal Palace's home match against Southampton, which should see Wilfried Zaha with plenty of space to run at the Saints' defense. He's got a quality floor with his worst performance coming in last weekend's 2-1 loss to Watford when he still managed 12.8 fantasy points. Steve Mounie is probably the least sexy pick at forward, but his 30 duels won this season is second only to James Tarkowski.
MIDFIELDRS
James Milner has been in the Liverpool starting XI for three straight matches as the Reds have breezed through West Ham, Crystal Palace and Brighton. He's failed to score fewer than 20 fantasy points and should keep his spot against Leicester. His role on set pieces and as primary penalty taker gives him a slight boost, enough to include him in my lineup. Naby Keita and Georginio Wijnaldum have also been consistent starters and would be a decent pivot if you aren't interested in Milner.
Jorginho has been a stabilizing force in the Chelsea midfield and leads all Premier League players in passes completed with 311, 71 more than any other player. His ability to link passes gives him a good floor despite his lack of attacking play, while the possibility of a Chelsea rout makes him even more inviting.
Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and David Silva are worth considering because of their matchup and City's likelihood of scoring multiple goals. Gundogan typically plays in a deep-lying midfield role, while both Silvas have played in attacking midfield positions for the Cityzens. Depending on the lineup, and if Mahrez is starting, I'd opt for Bernardo Silva in this situation.
Jean Michael Seri found the back of the net for the first time in Sunday's 4-2 win over Burnley, which capped off his best performance of the short season. Seri is unlikely to find the back of the net often, but his ability to win duels (15), complete passes (221) and make interceptions (seven) gives him a good case for inclusion.
DEFENDERS
Benjamin Mendy is reaching auto-inclusion levels despite his "worst" fantasy output of the season last week against Wolverhampton. A questionable goal from Wolves took away the clean sheet points, with the Frenchman settling for 14.10 by the final whistle. City's matchup with Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium is a good opportunity for a clean sheet and a chance for Mendy to maraud down the left flank. If you're looking for a City defensive stack, Aymeric Laporte and Vincent Kompany could keep their places in the starting XI.
Liverpool's backline comes into consideration, with Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson my preferred choices. It's unlikely Jurgen Klopp makes a change from van Dijk, Robertson, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold considering their recent displays.
Marcos Alonso and Mendy continue to battle it out for the title of Premier League's best left-back, with both players in favorable spots against Newcastle and Bournemouth, respectively. Alonso has a goal and assist already, while the number of passes and duels he wins give him a reasonable floor. Cesar Azpilicueta has been consistent and could be a good spot if you want another share of the Chelsea back line.
GOALKEEPERS
I've mentioned the heavy favorites and usual suspects in the forwards and midfielders sections, but it's worth visiting your goalkeepers with good shots at a high number of saves. Alisson and the Liverpool defense have yet to concede this season, but they will be traveling to Leicester in their first real test (sorry, Crystal Palace). Alisson is a good option, but I like Kasper Schmeichel's potential for saves in the friendly confines of King Power Stadium.
While Ederson and Kepa Arrizabalaga have good clean sheet odds against Newcastle and Bournemouth at home, the potential for a lot of saves isn't there. That's not to say they aren't worth targeting, but one goal conceded could really hurt their value. Wayne Hennessey's matchup against Southampton at home has the potential to be fruitful, especially considering the Saints could be without Danny Ings.
Ultimately, I think I'm going to avoid the favorites in order to get Jordan Pickford. Everton have yet to keep a clean sheet but will be hosting a Huddersfield side that have found the back of the net just once through three games.
